The football world is ablaze of talk regarding whether or not Ronaldo will leave Manchester United in summer in favour of a move to Real Madrid - or even Barcelona.
So relentless has the speculation become that Portugal's impending Euro 2008 campaign is turning into something of a sideshow, with reporters constantly asking about the young winger's decision.
Armando Petit told the Associated Press, "Ronaldo is 100 percent focused on performing well in the Euro."
Stopper Paulo Ferreira added, "Now he is here with us. He has people working on the other things for him. All he wants is make a good competition. He is a winner and wants to do well."
Pepe, a 'potential' teammate of Ronaldo's, slammed down all talk of Real Madrid speculation.
"We are here to defend a country," he snarled. "Cristiano knows this and he doesn't want the (speculation) to influence him."
Scolari Denies Man City Appointment
Ronaldo’s Godfather: He’s Choosing Madrid
Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Player Ratings: Spain 1-0 United States
SPAIN
Casillas 6 - Had very little to do and will have to rely on training to ensure he is ready for the first Euro 2008 game next week.
Sergio Ramos 8 - His attacking runs down the flank were the most incisive thing Spain offered for long periods.
Marchena 7 - After his clanger at the weekend, the Valencia defender did not do much wrong here.
Puyol 6 - Solid enough, but looked shocked when Eddie Johnson raced forward and found space for a shot that tested the keeper.
Capdevila 6.5 - Not as effective down the wing as Ramos, but moved forward whe possible to balance the team up.
Xabi Alonso 7 - Always assured although he is the same as his partners in the middle because he takes one pass too many.
Cazorla 7.5 - Very good work rate and he has justified his selection in the squad.
Xavi 8.5 - Involved in everything, even if a lot of it was sideways passes, before scoring a superb goal to win the game.
David Silva 7 - Did not really offer enough, but in a system that does not promote forward runs he was not effective.
Cesc 7 - Lots of net passing across the pitch, but nothing that made him stand out from the crowd.
Torres 6 - Not his fault, but as he was surrounded by white shirts and not receiving any passes there was not much he could do.
Wilhelmsson Surprised By Raúl’s Spain Absence
Happy Ramos flattered
Guzan hopes to seize opportunity
Casillas 6 - Had very little to do and will have to rely on training to ensure he is ready for the first Euro 2008 game next week.
Sergio Ramos 8 - His attacking runs down the flank were the most incisive thing Spain offered for long periods.
Marchena 7 - After his clanger at the weekend, the Valencia defender did not do much wrong here.
Puyol 6 - Solid enough, but looked shocked when Eddie Johnson raced forward and found space for a shot that tested the keeper.
Capdevila 6.5 - Not as effective down the wing as Ramos, but moved forward whe possible to balance the team up.
Xabi Alonso 7 - Always assured although he is the same as his partners in the middle because he takes one pass too many.
Cazorla 7.5 - Very good work rate and he has justified his selection in the squad.
Xavi 8.5 - Involved in everything, even if a lot of it was sideways passes, before scoring a superb goal to win the game.
David Silva 7 - Did not really offer enough, but in a system that does not promote forward runs he was not effective.
Cesc 7 - Lots of net passing across the pitch, but nothing that made him stand out from the crowd.
Torres 6 - Not his fault, but as he was surrounded by white shirts and not receiving any passes there was not much he could do.
Wilhelmsson Surprised By Raúl’s Spain Absence
Happy Ramos flattered
Guzan hopes to seize opportunity
Sevilla And Betis To Battle For Bruno
Bruno enjoyed a good season as Almeria secured an eighth place finish in their first season in the top flight and with his profile at an all time high, he is keen to take the opportunity to move to pastures new as he moves into the peak years of his career.
Betis were the first club to make a concrete offer for the full-back, but their bid of €800,000 plus a list of players available for exchange was flatly refused by Almeria, who are thought to be holding out for a fee in the region of €4-5million.
Whether Betis can stretch their financial constraints to improve their offer to that degree is unknown, but their city rivals Sevilla should have no problem meeting such a price tag.
Sevilla have all but resigned themselves to losing the services of current right-back Daniel Alves over the summer and coach Manolo Jiménez and sporting director Ramon Monchi believe that Bruno could be a decent replacement for the Brazilian.
Their president Jose Maria del Nido drives a notoriously hard bargain and it is believed that they are preparing an opening bid of €3million in the hope of coming to some agreement with their fellow Andalucians.
Escude would snub PL
Gunners losing Flamini battle
Edu Rejects Betis Extension
Palops Hopes For Double Seville Victory
Betis were the first club to make a concrete offer for the full-back, but their bid of €800,000 plus a list of players available for exchange was flatly refused by Almeria, who are thought to be holding out for a fee in the region of €4-5million.
Whether Betis can stretch their financial constraints to improve their offer to that degree is unknown, but their city rivals Sevilla should have no problem meeting such a price tag.
Sevilla have all but resigned themselves to losing the services of current right-back Daniel Alves over the summer and coach Manolo Jiménez and sporting director Ramon Monchi believe that Bruno could be a decent replacement for the Brazilian.
Their president Jose Maria del Nido drives a notoriously hard bargain and it is believed that they are preparing an opening bid of €3million in the hope of coming to some agreement with their fellow Andalucians.
Escude would snub PL
Gunners losing Flamini battle
Edu Rejects Betis Extension
Palops Hopes For Double Seville Victory
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Aragonés Muses Over Cesc Comeback
With Spain set to face the USA on Wednesday in Santander, the boss is likely to ring the changes.
He said of Cesc's fleeting appearance against Peru, "With the selección, we have little time to work, and we must seize it. Cesc has started on many occasions, but he's gone 30 days without doing so now."
Moving on to discuss the defensive frailties shown against the Peruvians he added, "The imbalances are all over - not just one player. The whole team attacks, the whole team defends."
To this end, he was quick to deny that Carlos Marchena was being 'dropped' per se despite the arrival of Raul Albion in the first eleven.
He was also keen to weigh in on the issue of David Villa, who was tipped for a 'return' to the starting lineup after his showing against Peru.
"Since Luis has coached this team, Villa has always been a starter," he shrugged.
As for the tournament proper, he concluded, "In a competition of this kind it's very important not to lose the first match - and to win if possible - because defeat would be a major blow to morale."
Milan confirm Flamini deal
Arsenal Linked With Albiol
Valencia Seek Elmander
He said of Cesc's fleeting appearance against Peru, "With the selección, we have little time to work, and we must seize it. Cesc has started on many occasions, but he's gone 30 days without doing so now."
Moving on to discuss the defensive frailties shown against the Peruvians he added, "The imbalances are all over - not just one player. The whole team attacks, the whole team defends."
To this end, he was quick to deny that Carlos Marchena was being 'dropped' per se despite the arrival of Raul Albion in the first eleven.
He was also keen to weigh in on the issue of David Villa, who was tipped for a 'return' to the starting lineup after his showing against Peru.
"Since Luis has coached this team, Villa has always been a starter," he shrugged.
As for the tournament proper, he concluded, "In a competition of this kind it's very important not to lose the first match - and to win if possible - because defeat would be a major blow to morale."
Milan confirm Flamini deal
Arsenal Linked With Albiol
Valencia Seek Elmander
Hleb Heading For Barcelona - Agent
The words of Vincenzo Morabito add credence to recent rumours linking the Belarussian ace to a switch to Catalunya.
He told the press that Internazionale, under the tutelage of ex-Chelsea boss José Mourinho, have cooled their interest in the midfielder, and with Real Madrid yet to make their move, Barcelona are in the driver's seat.
He said to Unico Grande Amore radio, "He's close to Barcelona. The blaugrana have aimed for months now to bring him to them.
"But it's a shame that we didn't get to take him to Italy as he was well-admired at Inter.
"Mourinho has chosen a different path, focusing on his own players."
Hleb is rumoured to have already agreed personal terms with Barça, meaning that the club must now seek an accord with Arsenal.
Mancini wants Inter stay
Villarreal Reject First Barça Cáceres Offer
He told the press that Internazionale, under the tutelage of ex-Chelsea boss José Mourinho, have cooled their interest in the midfielder, and with Real Madrid yet to make their move, Barcelona are in the driver's seat.
He said to Unico Grande Amore radio, "He's close to Barcelona. The blaugrana have aimed for months now to bring him to them.
"But it's a shame that we didn't get to take him to Italy as he was well-admired at Inter.
"Mourinho has chosen a different path, focusing on his own players."
Hleb is rumoured to have already agreed personal terms with Barça, meaning that the club must now seek an accord with Arsenal.
Mancini wants Inter stay
Villarreal Reject First Barça Cáceres Offer
United Top IFFHS Rankings
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics regularly updates a club world ranking throughout the season, a table that is now comfortably topped by the Red Devils following their success in Moscow.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team lead the way with 286 points, followed by Boca Juniors of Argentina on 267, Chelsea on 258 and - most surprisingly - Barcelona on 257.
Barça's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League gave them enough points to see off the challenge of the other Spanish teams who made the top forty, namely Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, tied in 15th; Villarreal, 20th; and Real Madrid and Valencia, level in 36th.
Boca Juniors are still the main threat to United finishing the season on top, as they are still involved in the Copa Libertadores and could jump ahead if they are able to win that competition.
Bayern Munich is the highest ranked German team in 5th, Glasgow Rangers came in 6th, while the top Italian performers were Roma in 7th.
Zenit St. Petersburg jumped ten places in 22th following their Uefa Cup triumph over Rangers, while FA Cup winners Portsmouth moved into the top 75 following their Wembley triumph.
Sevilla came out on top of last season's rankings, beating Manchester United and AC Milan to the title.
Heskey: Valencia Good Enough For United
Palops Hopes For Double Seville Victory
Manchester United Target Miguel
Sir Alex Ferguson's team lead the way with 286 points, followed by Boca Juniors of Argentina on 267, Chelsea on 258 and - most surprisingly - Barcelona on 257.
Barça's run to the semi-finals of the Champions League gave them enough points to see off the challenge of the other Spanish teams who made the top forty, namely Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, tied in 15th; Villarreal, 20th; and Real Madrid and Valencia, level in 36th.
Boca Juniors are still the main threat to United finishing the season on top, as they are still involved in the Copa Libertadores and could jump ahead if they are able to win that competition.
Bayern Munich is the highest ranked German team in 5th, Glasgow Rangers came in 6th, while the top Italian performers were Roma in 7th.
Zenit St. Petersburg jumped ten places in 22th following their Uefa Cup triumph over Rangers, while FA Cup winners Portsmouth moved into the top 75 following their Wembley triumph.
Sevilla came out on top of last season's rankings, beating Manchester United and AC Milan to the title.
Heskey: Valencia Good Enough For United
Palops Hopes For Double Seville Victory
Manchester United Target Miguel
Monday, June 2, 2008
Emery Hopes For Silva Stay
Silva has been one of the few Valencia players to come out of their poor season with his reputation still very much intact, with rumours in recent weeks suggesting that Barcelona were keen on taking the attacking midfielder to the Camp Nou.
Communications director Wollstein indicated on Friday that Silva was "untransferable" and that the club would not consider any offers that may come their way for the twenty-two year old - a view directly opposed to that of sporting director Juan Sanchez.
"If an offer arrives, we will study it, but if Silva has to leave, it will be for a very important fee," Sanchez stated later on the same day, suggesting that they would be willing to let him move on should a high enough offer be received.
Emery sits somewhere between the two points of view and although he would love to have Silva at his disposal next season, he is aware that it may be financially beneficial to the club to part company with him.
"There were strong statements issued about David Silva, categorising him as untransferable and that is how I see it from a sporting point of view. But if selling him would bring about a financial benefit to the club then we could adapt to fill his role," he explained to Marca.
A bid in excess of €20million is believed to be the figure that Valencia would settle for if they are forced to let Silva move on.
Walk in the park for VfB
Valencia In Crisis: Villa, Silva And Joaquín Out And No Marcelino
Alves Wants Swift Departure
Villarreal Reject First Barça Cáceres Offer
Communications director Wollstein indicated on Friday that Silva was "untransferable" and that the club would not consider any offers that may come their way for the twenty-two year old - a view directly opposed to that of sporting director Juan Sanchez.
"If an offer arrives, we will study it, but if Silva has to leave, it will be for a very important fee," Sanchez stated later on the same day, suggesting that they would be willing to let him move on should a high enough offer be received.
Emery sits somewhere between the two points of view and although he would love to have Silva at his disposal next season, he is aware that it may be financially beneficial to the club to part company with him.
"There were strong statements issued about David Silva, categorising him as untransferable and that is how I see it from a sporting point of view. But if selling him would bring about a financial benefit to the club then we could adapt to fill his role," he explained to Marca.
A bid in excess of €20million is believed to be the figure that Valencia would settle for if they are forced to let Silva move on.
Walk in the park for VfB
Valencia In Crisis: Villa, Silva And Joaquín Out And No Marcelino
Alves Wants Swift Departure
Villarreal Reject First Barça Cáceres Offer
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